The second time around has to be the most nerve racking for bands, especially if you're LA's Local Natives and are following up the hugely lauded debut, 2009's Gorilla Manor. You know you want to make a bold statement, maybe reappear at an intersection that you started at, only to turn left as opposed to right. Hummingbird is what the band ended up creating at the end of that street. They teamed up with The National's Aaron Dessner, the influence of his band very apparent on lead single "Breakers".

The drum technique is very The National: syncopated, demanding, stripped of the tribal beats that ensconsed their former Manor. The songs opens up in to an epic swell of emotion layered the trademark hamronies that lead evey music fan to fall for them, leading to an introspective verse that quickly shifts with brushstroke of electronic misfire that wouldn't be out of place on a Suckers track. But it's all about that epic swell, that juxtaposes those moments of fear and worry that sound downright troubling yet thrilling. Thrilling because this band is about to take us on another journey that we're all going to be on board for in 2013.